View source for Pharmacy

{{About|the profession|retail pharmacies|Pharmacy (shop)|other uses}}
{{Infobox Occupation
|name=Pharmacy
|image=[[Image:PharmacistsMortar.svg|190px]]
| official_names= Pharmacist, Chemist, Doctor of Pharmacy, Druggist, Apothecary or simply ''Doctor''
<!------------Details------------------->
|type=[[Professional]]
|activity_sector=[[Health care]], [[health sciences]], [[chemical sciences]]
|formation=[[Doctor of Pharmacy]], [[Master of Pharmacy]], [[Bachelor of Pharmacy]], Diploma in Pharmacy
|related_occupation=[[Physician]], [[pharmacy technician]], [[toxicologist]], [[chemist]], pharmacy assistant, other [[medical specialist]]s
}}
[[File:Pharmacy Green Cross.svg|right|thumb|250px|The Green Pharmacy Cross (sometimes overlaid with [[Bowl of Hygieia]]), is widely used in {{citation needed span|date=October 2020|[[Europe]] and [[India]]}} on pharmacy signs.]]
[[File:VariousPills.jpg|thumb|A [[medication]] is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease.]]
[[File:Metsu, Gabriël - L'Apothicaire - c. 1651-1667.jpg|thumb|The Apothecary or The Chemist by [[Gabriël Metsu]] ({{Circa|1651}}–67)]]

'''Pharmacy''' is the [[science]] and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring [[medication]]s, aiming to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of [[medication|medicine]]s. It is a miscellaneous science as it links [[health science]]s with [[pharmaceutical science]]s and [[natural science]]s. The professional practice is becoming more clinically oriented as most of the [[Drug|drugs]] are now manufactured by pharmaceutical industries. Based on the setting, pharmacy practice is either classified as community or institutional pharmacy. Providing direct patient care in the community of institutional pharmacies is considered [[clinical pharmacy]].<ref name="Thomas_2019">{{cite book | vauthors = Thomas D | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9Jp7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1 | title = Clinical Pharmacy Education, Practice and Research | date = November 2018 | publisher=Elsevier | isbn = 9780128142769 | access-date = 6 September 2019 | archive-date = 24 January 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200124043021/https://books.google.com/books?id=9Jp7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The scope of pharmacy practice includes more traditional roles such as [[compounding]] and dispensing of medications. It also includes more modern services related to [[health care]] including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information with patient counselling. [[Pharmacist]]s, therefore, are experts on drug therapy and are the primary health professionals who optimize the use of medication for the benefit of the patients. In some jurisdictions, such as Canada and Australia, Pharmacists may be able to prescribe or adapt/manage prescriptions, as well as give injections and immunizations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scope of Practice |url=https://www.ocpinfo.com/practice_resource/scope-of-practice/ |access-date=2025-07-23 |website=OCPInfo.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Administering medicines by injection |url=https://www.psa.org.au/programs/administering-medicines-by-injection/ |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=Pharmaceutical Society of Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>

An establishment in which pharmacy (in the first sense) is practiced is called a ''pharmacy'' (this term is more common in the United States) or ''chemists'' (which is more common in Great Britain, though ''pharmacy'' is also used).{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} In the United States and Canada, ''[[drugstore]]s'' commonly sell medicines, as well as miscellaneous items such as [[confectionery]], [[cosmetics]], [[office supplies]], [[toy]]s, [[hair care]] products and [[magazine]]s, and occasionally refreshments and groceries.

In its investigation of herbal and chemical ingredients, the work of the [[apothecary]] may be regarded as a precursor of the modern sciences of chemistry and [[pharmacology]], prior to the formulation of the [[scientific method]].{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

==Disciplines==
[[File:42-aspetti di vita quotidiana, medicine, Taccuino Sanitatis.jpg|thumb|Pharmacy, ''[[Tacuinum sanitatis]]'' casanatensis (14th century)]]
The field of pharmacy can generally be divided into various disciplines:
*Pharmacy Practice ([[pharmacist]])
*[[Pharmaceutics]] ([[drug development]], [[drug discovery]]) and [[Computational biology|Computational]] Pharmaceutics
*[[Medicinal Chemistry]] ([[drug design]]) and [[Pharmacognosy]]
*[[Pharmacology]] (includes [[pharmacokinetics]] and [[pharmacodynamics]])
*Pharmaco[[Bioinformatics|informatics]]
*[[Pharmacogenomics]]

The boundaries between these disciplines and with other sciences, such as biochemistry, are not always clear-cut.
Often, collaborative teams from various disciplines (pharmacists and other scientists) work together toward the introduction of new therapeutics and methods for patient care. However, pharmacy is not a basic or biomedical science in its typical form. Medicinal chemistry is also a distinct branch of synthetic chemistry combining pharmacology, organic chemistry, and chemical biology.

[[Pharmacology]] is sometimes considered the fourth discipline of pharmacy. Although knowledge of pharmacology is essential to the study of pharmacy, both disciplines are distinct. Those who wish to practice both pharmacy (patient-oriented) and pharmacology (a biomedical science requiring the scientific method) receive separate training and degrees unique to either discipline.

[[Pharmacoinformatics]] is considered another new discipline, for systematic drug discovery and development with efficiency and safety.

Pharmacogenomics is the study of genetic-linked variants that effect patient clinical responses, allergies, and metabolism of drugs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/genomicresearch/pharmacogenomics|title=What is pharmacogenomics?|last=Reference|first=Genetics Home|website=Genetics Home Reference|language=en|access-date=2019-11-20|archive-date=19 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219214114/https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/genomicresearch/pharmacogenomics|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Professionals==
The [[World Health Organization]] estimates that there are at least 2.6 million pharmacists and other pharmaceutical personnel worldwide.<ref>World Health Organization. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110518070423/http://www.who.int/whosis/whostat/2011/en/index.html ''World Health Statistics 2011''] – Table 6: Health workforce, infrastructure, and essential medicines. Geneva, 2011. Accessed 21 July 2011.</ref>

===Pharmacists===
{{Main|Pharmacist}}
{{See also|List of pharmacy associations}}

Pharmacists are [[healthcare profession]]als with specialized education and training who perform various roles to ensure optimal [[health]] outcomes for their patients through the quality use of medicines. [[Pharmacist]]s may also be [[small business]] proprietors, owning the pharmacy in which they practice. Since pharmacists know about the mode of action of a particular drug, and its metabolism and physiological effects on the human body in great detail, they play an important role in optimization of drug treatment for an individual.

Pharmacists are represented internationally by the [[International Pharmaceutical Federation]] (FIP), an [[NGO]] linked with [[World Health Organization]] (WHO). They are represented at the national level by [[professional body|professional organisations]] such as the [[Royal Pharmaceutical Society]] in the UK, [[Pharmaceutical Society of Australia]] (PSA), [[Canadian Pharmacists Association]] (CPhA), [[Indian Pharmacist Association]] (IPA), [[Pakistan Pharmacists Association]] (PPA), [[American Pharmacists Association]] (APhA), and the [[Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society]] (MPS).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fip.org/member-organisations? |title=Member organizations |publisher=Open Publishing |date=2019-09-09 |website=FIP |access-date=2020-11-17 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101015532/https://www.fip.org/member-organisations |url-status=live }}</ref>

In some cases, the representative body is also the registering body, which is responsible for the regulation and [[ethics]] of the profession.

In the United States, specializations in pharmacy practice recognized by the [[Board of Pharmacy Specialties]] include: cardiovascular, [[infectious disease]], [[oncology]], pharmacotherapy, nuclear, [[nutrition]], and [[psychiatry]].<ref>{{cite web|website = Board of Pharmacy Specialties|url = https://www.bpsweb.org/bps-specialties/#1518298221569-5426494b-d9b1|title= BPS Specialties}}</ref> The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy certifies pharmacists in geriatric pharmacy practice. The [[American Board of Applied Toxicology]] certifies pharmacists and other medical professionals in applied [[toxicology]].

==Pharmacy support staff==
[[File:Medicin man.jpg|thumb|274x274px|A pharmacy worker distributing drugs to an old woman at a local clinic.]]

===Pharmacy technicians===
{{Main|Pharmacy technician}}

Pharmacy technicians support the work of pharmacists and other health professionals by performing a variety of pharmacy-related functions, including dispensing prescription drugs and other medical devices to patients and instructing on their use. They may also perform administrative duties in pharmaceutical practice, such as reviewing prescription requests with medic's offices and insurance companies to ensure correct medications are provided and payment is received.

Legislation requires the supervision of certain pharmacy technician's activities by a pharmacist. The majority of pharmacy technicians work in [[Pharmacy (shop)|community pharmacies]]. In hospital pharmacies, pharmacy technicians may be managed by other senior pharmacy technicians. In the UK the role of a PhT in hospital pharmacy has grown and responsibility has been passed on to them to manage the pharmacy department and specialized areas in pharmacy practice allowing pharmacists the time to specialize in their expert field as medication consultants spending more time working with patients and in research. Pharmacy technicians are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The GPhC is the regulator of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy premises.

In the US, pharmacy technicians perform their duties under the supervision of pharmacists. Although they may perform, under supervision, most dispensing, compounding and other tasks, they are not generally allowed to perform the role of counseling patients on the proper use of their medications. Some states have a legally mandated [[pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio]].

===Dispensing assistants===
Dispensing assistants are commonly referred to as "dispensers" and in community pharmacies perform largely the same tasks as a pharmacy technician. They work under the supervision of pharmacists and are involved in preparing (dispensing and labelling) medicines for provision to patients.

===Healthcare assistants/medicines counter assistants===
In the UK, this group of staff can sell certain medicines (including pharmacy only and general sales list medicines) over the counter. They cannot prepare prescription-only medicines for supply to patients.

== History ==
{{Main|History of pharmacy|List of pharmacists}}
[[File:Legenogapotekeren.jpg|thumb|Physician and Pharmacist, illustration from ''Medicinarius'' (1505) by [[Hieronymus Brunschwig]]]]
<!-- Commented out: [[File:Scientific chemistry and pharmacy.jpg|thumb|Pharmacy in medieval [[Muslim world]].]] -->

The earliest known compilation of medicinal substances was the ''[[Sushruta Samhita]]'', an Indian [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic treatise]] attributed to [[Sushruta]] in the 6th century BC. However, the earliest text as preserved dates to the 3rd or 4th century AD.

Many [[Cuneiform script|Sumerian]] (4th millennium BC – early 2nd millennium BC) cuneiform [[clay tablet]]s record prescriptions for medicine.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=John K. Borchardt |year=2002 |title=The Beginnings of Drug Therapy: Ancient Mesopotamian Medicine |journal=Drug News & Perspectives |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=187–192 |issn=0214-0934 |pmid=12677263 |doi=10.1358/dnp.2002.15.3.840015}}</ref>

Ancient Egyptian pharmacological knowledge was recorded in various papyri such as the ''[[Ebers Papyrus]]'' of 1550 BC, and the ''[[Edwin Smith Papyrus]]'' of the 16th century BC.

[[File:Dioscorides De Materia Medica Byzantium 15th century.jpg|thumb|Dioscorides, ''[[Materia Medica|De Materia Medica]]'', Byzantium, 15th century]]
In [[Ancient Greece]], [[Diocles of Carystus]] (4th century BC) was one of several men studying the medicinal properties of plants. He wrote several treatises on the topic.<ref>Edward Kremers, Glenn Sonnedecker (1986). "''[https://books.google.com/books?id=r__FmMNS7qIC&pg=PA17 Kremers and Urdang's History of pharmacy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819205603/https://books.google.com/books?id=r__FmMNS7qIC&pg=PA17&dq&hl=en |date=19 August 2020 }}''". Amer. Inst. History of Pharmacy. p.17.
{{ISBN|0931292174}}</ref> The Greek physician [[Pedanius Dioscorides]] is famous for writing a five-volume book in his native Greek Περί ύλης ιατρικής in the 1st century AD. The Latin translation {{lang|la|[[De Materia Medica (Dioscorides)|De Materia Medica]]}} (''Concerning medical substances'') was used as a basis for many medieval texts and was built upon by many middle eastern scientists during the [[Islamic Golden Age]], themselves deriving their knowledge from earlier Greek [[Byzantine medicine]].<ref>{{ISBN|978-1409441656}} Medicine and Pharmacy in Byzantine Hospitals: A study of the extant formularies (Medicine in the Medieval Mediterranean) 1st Edition by David Bennett</ref>

[[Pharmacy in China]] dates at least to the earliest known Chinese manual, the ''Shennong Bencao Jing'' (''The Divine Farmer's Herb-Root Classic''), dating back to the 1st century AD. It was compiled during the [[Han dynasty]] and was attributed to the mythical [[Shennong]]. Earlier literature included lists of prescriptions for specific ailments, exemplified by a manuscript "Recipes for 52 Ailments", found in the [[Mawangdui]], sealed in 168 BC.

In Japan, at the end of the [[Asuka period]] (538–710) and the early [[Nara period]] (710–794), the men who fulfilled roles similar to those of modern pharmacists were highly respected.  The place of pharmacists in society was expressly defined in the [[Taihō Code]] (701) and re-stated in the [[Yōrō Code]] (718).  Ranked positions in the pre-[[Heian period|Heian]] Imperial court were established; and this organizational structure remained largely intact until the [[Meiji Restoration]] (1868).  In this highly stable hierarchy, the pharmacists—and even pharmacist assistants—were assigned status superior to all others in health-related fields such as physicians and acupuncturists. In the Imperial household, the pharmacist was even ranked above the two personal physicians of the Emperor.<ref>Titsingh, Isaac. (1834) ''Annales des empereurs du Japon,'' p. 434.</ref>

There is a stone sign for a pharmacy shop with a tripod, a mortar, and a pestle opposite one for a doctor in the Arcadian Way in Ephesus near Kusadasi in Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbase.com/tsechien/ephesus_|title=PBase.com|website=www.pbase.com|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=13 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913020329/https://www.pbase.com/tsechien/ephesus_|url-status=live}}</ref> The current Ephesus dates back to 400 BC and was the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world.

In [[Baghdad]] the first pharmacies, or drug stores, were established in 754,<ref name=Hadzovic>
{{Cite journal
|last=Hadzovic
|first=S
|year=1997
|title=Pharmacy and the great contribution of Arab-Islamic science to its development
|journal=Medicinski Arhiv
|volume=51
|issue=1–2
|pages=47–50
|issn=0025-8083
|pmid=9324574
|oclc=32564530
|language=hr
}}
</ref> under the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] during the [[Islamic Golden Age]]. By the 9th century, these pharmacies were state-regulated.<ref>{{Cite journal
|first=Sharif Kaf
|last=al-Ghazal
|date=October 2003
|title=The valuable contributions of Al-Razi (Rhazes) in the history of pharmacy during the Middle Ages
|journal=Journal of the International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine
|volume=2
|issue=4
|pages=9–11
|issn=1303-667X
|oclc=54045642
|url=http://www.ishim.net/ishimj/4/02.pdf
|access-date=24 October 2008
|archive-date=21 September 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921044015/http://www.ishim.net/ishimj/4/02.pdf
|url-status=live
}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=September 2010}}

The advances made in the Middle East in [[botany]] and [[chemistry]] led [[medicine in medieval Islam]] substantially to develop [[pharmacology]]. [[Muhammad ibn Zakarīya Rāzi]] (Rhazes) (865–915), for instance, acted to promote the medical uses of chemical compounds. [[Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi]] (Abulcasis) (936–1013) pioneered the preparation of medicines by [[Sublimation (chemistry)|sublimation]] and [[distillation]]. His ''Liber servitoris'' is of particular interest, as it provides the reader with recipes and explains how to prepare the "simples" from which were [[compounding|compounded]] the complex drugs then generally used. Sabur Ibn Sahl (d 869), was, however, the first physician to record his findings in a [[pharmacopoeia]], describing a large variety of drugs and remedies for ailments. [[Al-Biruni]] (973–1050) wrote one of the most valuable Islamic works on pharmacology, entitled ''Kitab al-Saydalah'' (''The Book of Drugs''), in which he detailed the properties of drugs and outlined the role of pharmacy and the functions and duties of the pharmacist. [[Avicenna]], too, described no less than 700 preparations, their properties, modes of action, and their indications. He devoted in fact a whole volume to simple drugs in ''[[The Canon of Medicine]]''. Of great impact were also the works by [[Masawaih al-Mardini|al-Maridini of Baghdad]] and [[Cairo]], and [[Ibn al-Wafid]] (1008–1074), both of which were printed in [[Latin]] more than fifty times, appearing as ''De Medicinis universalibus et particularibus'' by '[[Mesue]]' the younger, and the ''Medicamentis simplicibus'' by '[[Abenguefit]]'. [[Peter of Abano]] (1250–1316) translated and added a supplement to the work of al-Maridini under the title ''De Veneris''. Al-Muwaffaq's contributions in the field are also pioneering. Living in the 10th century, he wrote ''The foundations of the true properties of Remedies'', amongst others describing [[arsenious oxide]], and being acquainted with [[silicic acid]]. He made clear distinction between [[sodium carbonate]] and [[potassium carbonate]], and drew attention to the poisonous nature of [[copper]] compounds, especially copper [[vitriol]], and also [[lead]] compounds. He also describes the [[Distilled water|distillation of sea-water]] for drinking.<ref>Levey M. (1973), " Early Arabic Pharmacology", E. J. Brill; Leiden.</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES - Volume I |date=15 May 2010 |publisher=EOLSS Publications |isbn=978-1-84826-419-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8bfODAAAQBAJ&dq=Al-Muwaffaq+distillation+of+seawater+for+drinking&pg=PA387 |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Europe]], pharmacy-like shops began to appear during the 12th century. In 1240, emperor [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederic II]] issued a decree by which the physician's and the apothecary's professions were separated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://home.swipnet.se/PharmHist/Apotek/gamla_apotek_en.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623180025/http://home.swipnet.se/PharmHist/Apotek/gamla_apotek_en.html|url-status=dead|title=History of Pharmacy Web Pages – Sweden's oldest pharmacies|archive-date=23 June 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Hauptmarkt 6 in Trier 01.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Löwen-Apotheke in [[Trier]], operating continuously from at least 1241 ]]
[[File:Raeapteek sign.jpg|thumb|250px|Sign of the [[Raeapteek|Town Hall Pharmacy]] in [[Tallinn]], operating continuously from at least 1422,  showing the [[Bowl of Hygieia]] ]]
There are pharmacies in Europe that have been in operation since medieval times. In [[Florence]], Italy, the director of the museum in the  former [[Santa Maria Novella (pharmacy)|Santa Maria Novella pharmacy]] says that the pharmacy there dates back to 1221.<ref name="CBS News">{{cite news| url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-worlds-oldest-pharmacy/ar-AABAgkG| title=The World's Oldest Pharmacy| author=CBS News| publisher=CBS News| date=2019-05-19| access-date=2019-05-30 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531035453/https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-worlds-oldest-pharmacy/ar-AABAgkG }}</ref> In [[Trier]] (Germany), the [[Löwen-Apotheke]] is in operation since 1241, the oldest pharmacy in Europe in continuous operation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/news/artikel/2016/05/23/die-erste-apotheke-in-deutschland#:~:text=Fakt%20ist%3A%20Am%20Graben%20in,5%2C%202015%20erschienen | title=Die erste Apotheke in Deutschland | date=23 May 2016 }}</ref> In [[Dubrovnik]] (Croatia), a pharmacy that first opened in 1317 is located inside the Franciscan monastery: it is the 2nd oldest pharmacy in Europe that is still operating.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vijesti.hrt.hr/414802/700-godina-ljekarne-male-brace|title=700 godina ljekarne Male braće|website=Hrvatska radiotelevizija|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112150653/https://vijesti.hrt.hr/414802/700-godina-ljekarne-male-brace|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://povijest.hr/nadanasnjidan/dubrovacka-ljekarna-male-brace-najstarija-aktivna-ljekarna-u-europi-1357/|title=Dubrovačka ljekarna Male braće (1357.)|date=17 July 2019|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721092901/https://povijest.hr/nadanasnjidan/dubrovacka-ljekarna-male-brace-najstarija-aktivna-ljekarna-u-europi-1357/|url-status=live}}</ref> In  the Town Hall Square of [[Tallinn]] (Estonia), there is a pharmacy dating from at least 1422.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}  The medieval [[Esteve Pharmacy]], located in [[Llívia]], a [[Catalonia|Catalan]] [[enclave]] close to [[Puigcerdà]], is a museum: the building dates back to the 15th century and the museum keeps [[albarello]]s from the 16th and 17th centuries, old prescription books and antique drugs.

==Practice areas==
Pharmacists practice in a variety of areas including community pharmacies, infusion pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, medical communication companies, research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, extended care facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and regulatory agencies. Pharmacists themselves may have expertise in a [[Specialty (medicine)|medical specialty]].

===Community pharmacy===
{{main|Pharmacy (shop)}}
{{See also|Community pharmacy|Pharmacy automation}}
[[File:Klaukkalan apteekki.jpg|thumb|right|A pharmacy in [[Klaukkala]], [[Finland]]]]
A ''pharmacy'' (also known as a ''chemist'' in [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and the [[British Isles]]; or ''drugstore'' in [[North America]]; ''retail pharmacy'' in industry terminology; or [[apothecary]], historically) is where most pharmacists practice the profession of pharmacy. It is the community pharmacy in which the dichotomy of the profession exists; health professionals who are also retailers.

Community pharmacies usually consist of a retail storefront with a dispensary, where medications are stored and dispensed. According to Sharif Kaf al-Ghazal, the opening of the first drugstores are recorded by [[Islamic medicine|Muslim]] pharmacists in [[Baghdad]] in 754 AD.<ref name=Hadzovic /><ref>Sharif Kaf al-Ghazal, ''Journal of the International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine'', 2004 (3), pp. 3–9 [8].</ref>

===Hospital pharmacy===
{{Main|Hospital pharmacy}}
Pharmacies within [[hospitals]] differ considerably from community pharmacies. Some pharmacists in hospital pharmacies may have more complex clinical medication management issues, and pharmacists in community pharmacies often have more complex business and customer relations issues.

Because of the complexity of medications including specific indications, effectiveness of treatment regimens, safety of medications (i.e., drug interactions) and [[patient compliance]] issues (in the hospital and at home), many pharmacists practicing in hospitals gain more education and training after pharmacy school through a pharmacy practice residency, sometimes followed by another residency in a specific area. Those pharmacists are often referred to as clinical pharmacists and they often specialize in various disciplines of pharmacy.

For example, there are pharmacists who specialize in hematology/oncology, HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, critical care, [[emergency medicine]], toxicology, nuclear pharmacy, pain management, psychiatry, anti-coagulation clinics, [[Herbalism|herbal medicine]], neurology/epilepsy management, pediatrics, neonatal pharmacists and more.

Hospital pharmacies can often be found within the premises of the hospital. Hospital pharmacies usually stock a larger range of medications, including more specialized medications, than would be feasible in the community setting. Most hospital medications are unit-dose, or a single dose of medicine.  Hospital pharmacists and trained pharmacy technicians compound sterile products for patients including [[total parenteral nutrition]] (TPN), and other medications are given intravenously. That is a complex process that requires adequate training of personnel, [[Quality Assurance|quality assurance]] of products, and adequate facilities.

Several hospital pharmacies have decided to [[outsource]] high-risk preparations and some other compounding functions to companies who specialize in compounding. The high cost of medications and drug-related technology and the potential impact of medications and pharmacy services on patient-care outcomes and patient safety require hospital pharmacies to perform at the highest level possible.

===Clinical pharmacy===
{{Main|Clinical pharmacy}}
[[Pharmacists]] provide direct patient care services that optimize the use of medication and promotes health, wellness, and disease prevention.<ref>{{cite journal | year = 2008 | title = The definition of clinical pharmacy | url = http://www.accp.com/docs/positions/commentaries/Clinpharmdefnfinal.pdf | journal = Pharmacotherapy | volume = 28 | issue = 6 | pages = 816–817 | doi = 10.1592/phco.28.6.816 | pmid = 18503408 | author1 = American College of Clinical Pharmacy | s2cid = 45522678 | doi-access = free | access-date = 19 July 2012 | archive-date = 28 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210428160037/https://www.accp.com/docs/positions/commentaries/Clinpharmdefnfinal.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Clinical pharmacist]]s care for patients in all [[health care]] settings, but the clinical pharmacy movement initially began inside [[hospital]]s and [[clinic]]s. Clinical pharmacists often collaborate with [[physician]]s and other healthcare professionals to improve pharmaceutical care. Clinical pharmacists are now an integral part of the interdisciplinary approach to patient care. They often participate in patient care rounds for drug product selection. In the UK clinical pharmacists can also prescribe some medications for patients on the [[National Health Services|National Health Services (NHS)]] or privately, after completing a non-medical prescribers course to become an Independent Prescriber.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hoti K, Hughes J, Sunderland B | title = An expanded prescribing role for pharmacists - an Australian perspective | journal = The Australasian Medical Journal | volume = 4 | issue = 4 | pages = 236–242 | date = 2011-04-30 | pmid = 23393515 | pmc = 3562903 | doi = 10.4066/AMJ.2011.694 }}</ref>

The clinical pharmacist's role involves creating a comprehensive drug therapy plan for patient-specific problems, identifying goals of therapy, and reviewing all prescribed medications prior to dispensing and administration to the patient. The review process often involves an evaluation of the appropriateness of drug therapy (e.g., drug choice, dose, route, frequency, and duration of therapy) and its efficacy. Research shows that pharmacist led strategies reduce errors related to medication use.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The impact of pharmacist-led strategies implemented to reduce errors related to cancer therapies: a systematic review|first1=John|last1=Coutsouvelis|first2=Jim|last2=Siderov|first3=Amanda Y.|last3=Tey|first4=Hadley D.|last4=Bortz|first5=Shaun R.|last5=O'Connor|first6=Gail D.|last6=Rowan|first7=Hayley M.|last7=Vasileff|first8=Amy T.|last8=Page|first9=Mia A.|last9=Percival|date=22 December 2020|journal=Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research|volume=50|issue=6|pages=466–480|doi=10.1002/jppr.1699|s2cid=229332634 |doi-access=free}}</ref>  The pharmacist must also consider potential drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and patient drug allergies while they design and initiate a drug therapy plan.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Burke JM, Miller WA, Spencer AP, etal | year = 2008 | title = Clinical pharmacist competencies | url = http://www.accp.com/docs/positions/whitePapers/CliniPharmCompTFfinalDraft.pdf | journal = Pharmacotherapy | volume = 28 | issue = 6 | pages = 806–815 | doi = 10.1592/phco.28.6.806 | pmid = 18503407 | s2cid = 31254371 | access-date = 19 July 2012 | archive-date = 4 September 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120904143216/http://www.accp.com/docs/positions/whitePapers/CliniPharmCompTFfinalDraft.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Ambulatory care pharmacy===
Since the emergence of modern clinical pharmacy, ambulatory care pharmacy practice has emerged as a unique pharmacy practice setting. Ambulatory care pharmacy is based primarily on pharmacotherapy services that a pharmacist provides in a clinic. Pharmacists in this setting often do not dispense drugs, but rather see patients in-office visits to manage chronic disease states.

In the U.S. federal health care system (including the VA, the Indian Health Service, and [[National Institute of Health|National Institute of Health (NIH)]]) ambulatory care pharmacists are given full independent prescribing authority. In some states, such as [[North Carolina]] and [[New Mexico]], these pharmacist clinicians are given collaborative prescriptive and diagnostic authority.<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 15719585 | year = 2005 | last1 = Knapp | first1 = KK | last2 = Okamoto | first2 = MP | last3 = Black | first3 = BL | title = ASHP survey of ambulatory care pharmacy practice in health systems – 2004 | volume = 62 | issue = 3 | pages = 274–284 | journal = American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy | doi=10.1093/ajhp/62.3.274| doi-access = free }}</ref> In 2011 the board of Pharmaceutical Specialties approved ambulatory care pharmacy practice as a separate board certification. The official designation for pharmacists who pass the ambulatory care pharmacy specialty certification exam will be Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist and these pharmacists will carry the initials BCACP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bpsweb.org/news/pr_041911.cfm|title=BPS Approves Ambulatory Care Designation; Explores New Specialties in Pain and Palliative Care, Critical Care and Pediatrics|access-date=24 February 2012|archive-date=24 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224150016/http://www.bpsweb.org/news/pr_041911.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Compounding pharmacy/industrial pharmacy===
{{Main|Compounding}}
Compounding involves preparing drugs in forms that are different from the generic prescription standard. This may include altering the strength, ingredients, or dosage form.<ref>{{cite web|date=21 June 2018|title=Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers|url=https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers|website=FDA|language=en|access-date=|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191217092246/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers|url-status= dead}}</ref> Compounding is a way to create custom drugs for patients who may not be able to take the medication in its standard form, such as due to an allergy or difficulty swallowing. Compounding is necessary for these patients to still be able to properly get the prescriptions they need.

One area of compounding is preparing drugs in new dosage forms. For example, if a drug manufacturer only provides a drug as a tablet, a compounding pharmacist might make a medicated [[lollipop]] that contains the drug. Patients who have difficulty swallowing the tablet may prefer to suck the medicated lollipop instead.

Another form of compounding is by mixing different strengths (g, mg, mcg) of capsules or tablets to yield the desired amount of medication indicated by the [[physician]], [[physician assistant]], [[nurse practitioner]], or [[clinical pharmacist practitioner]]. This form of compounding is found at community or hospital pharmacies or in-home administration therapy.

Compounding pharmacies specialize in compounding, although many also dispense the same non-compounded drugs that patients can obtain from community pharmacies.

===Consultant pharmacy===
{{Main|Consultant pharmacist}}
{{Globalize|section|date=December 2019}}
Consultant pharmacy practice focuses more on medication regimen review (i.e. "cognitive services") than on actual dispensing of drugs. Consultant pharmacists most typically work in [[nursing home]]s, but are increasingly branching into other institutions and non-institutional settings.<ref>American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, [http://www.ascp.com/about/ascpfactsheet.cfm Frequently Asked Questions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619112244/http://ascp.com/about/ascpfactsheet.cfm |date=19 June 2006 }}</ref> Traditionally{{where|date=December 2019}} consultant pharmacists were usually independent business owners, though in the United States many now work for a large pharmacy management company such as [[Omnicare]], [[Kindred Healthcare]] or [[PharMerica]]. This trend may be gradually reversing{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} as consultant pharmacists begin to work directly with patients, primarily because many elderly people are now taking numerous medications but continue to live outside of institutional settings. Some community pharmacies employ consultant pharmacists and/or provide consulting services.

The main principle of consultant pharmacy was developed by Hepler and Strand in 1990.<ref name="Pharmaceutical care and patient outcomes">{{Cite journal|author=Strand LM |title=Pharmaceutical care and patient outcomes: notes on what it is we manage |journal=Top Hosp Pharm Manage. |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=77–84 |year=1990 |pmid=10128568 }}</ref><ref name="Responsibilities in pharmaceutical care">{{Cite journal|vauthors=Hepler CD, Strand LM |title=Opportunities and responsibilities in pharmaceutical care |journal=Am J Hosp Pharm |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=533–543 |year=1990 |pmid=2316538 }}</ref>

===Veterinary pharmacy===
{{Main|Veterinary pharmacy}}
Veterinary pharmacies, sometimes called ''animal pharmacies'', may fall in the category of hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy or mail-order pharmacy. Veterinary pharmacies stock different varieties and different strengths of medications to fulfill the pharmaceutical needs of animals.  Because the needs of animals, as well as the regulations on [[veterinary medicine]], are often very different from those related to people, in some jurisdictions veterinary pharmacy may be  kept separate from regular pharmacies.

===Nuclear pharmacy===
{{Main|Nuclear pharmacy}}
Nuclear pharmacy focuses on preparing radioactive materials for diagnostic tests and for treating certain diseases. Nuclear pharmacists undergo additional training specific to handling radioactive materials, and unlike in community and hospital pharmacies, nuclear pharmacists typically do not interact directly with patients.

===Military pharmacy===
{{Globalize|section|date=December 2019}}
[[File:332nd EMSG Pharmacy Tech DVIDS328212.jpg|thumb|Airman 1st Class Breanna DeMasters and Staff Sgt. Giovanni Fiorito, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group pharmacy technicians, fill prescription medication for patients, Oct. 7, Joint Base Balad Iraq.]]
Military pharmacy is a different working environment to civilian practise because military pharmacy technicians perform duties such as evaluating medication orders, preparing medication orders, and dispensing medications. This would be illegal in civilian pharmacies because these duties are required to be performed by a licensed registered pharmacist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/medical-and-emergency/pharmacy-specialist.html|title=Pharmacy Specialist (68Q)|website=goarmy.com|access-date=2019-10-31|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031163032/https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/medical-and-emergency/pharmacy-specialist.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the US military, state laws that prevent technicians from counseling patients or doing the final medication check prior to dispensing to patients (rather than a pharmacist solely responsible for these duties) do not apply.

===Pharmacy informatics===
{{Main|Pharmacy informatics}}
Pharmacy informatics is the combination of pharmacy practice science and applied information science.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Carroll|first1=Noel|last2=Richardson|first2=Ita|date=7 March 2019|title=Enablers and barriers for hospital pharmacy information systems|journal=Health Informatics Journal|volume=26|issue=1|language=en-US|pages=406–419|doi=10.1177/1460458219832056|pmid=30841781|issn=1460-4582|hdl=10344/8873|s2cid=73515983|url=https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/19852582 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> Pharmacy informaticists work in many practice areas of pharmacy, however, they may also work in information technology departments or for [[health informatics|healthcare information technology]] vendor companies.  As a practice area and specialist domain, pharmacy informatics is growing quickly to meet the needs of major national and international patient information projects and health system interoperability goals. Pharmacists in this area are trained to participate in medication management system development, deployment, and optimization.

===Specialty pharmacy===
{{main|Specialty pharmacy}}
Specialty pharmacies supply high-cost injectable, oral, infused, or inhaled medications that are used for chronic and complex disease states such as cancer, hepatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.<ref>NBCH Action Brief: Specialty Pharmacy. [https://www.nbch.org/nbch/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000003258/NBCH_AB_SP%20Pharmacy%20original.pdf ''Specialty Pharmacy''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828073529/http://www.nbch.org/nbch/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000003258/NBCH_AB_SP%20Pharmacy%20original.pdf |date=28 August 2014 }} December 2013. Accessed 27 October 2014.</ref> Unlike a traditional community pharmacy where prescriptions for any common medication can be brought in and filled, specialty pharmacies carry novel medications that need to be properly stored, administered, carefully monitored, and clinically managed.<ref>Wild, D. Specialty Pharmacy Continuum [http://www.specialtypharmacycontinuum.com/ViewArticle.aspx?d=Policy&d_id=498&i=August+2012&i_id=878&a_id=21466 ''Carving a Specialty Niche Within the ACO Model.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410122012/https://www.specialtypharmacycontinuum.com/ViewArticle.aspx?d=Policy&d_id=498&i=August+2012&i_id=878&a_id=21466 |date=10 April 2021 }} Volume 1 (Summer Issue). August 2012.</ref> In addition to supplying these drugs, specialty pharmacies also provide lab monitoring, adherence counseling, and assist patients with cost-containment strategies needed to obtain their expensive specialty drugs.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Shane|first1=RR|title=Translating health care imperatives and evidence into practice: the "Institute of Pharmacy" report.|journal=American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy|date=15 August 2012|volume=69|issue=16|pages=1373–1383|pmid=22855102|doi=10.2146/ajhp120292|s2cid=590168}}</ref> In the US, it is currently the fastest-growing sector of the pharmaceutical industry with 19 of 28 newly [[Food and Drug Administration|Food and Drug Administration (FDA)]] approved medications in 2013 being specialty drugs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Health Care Cost Drivers: Spotlight on Specialty Drugs|url=http://www.calhealthplans.org/pdfs/CAHPSpecialtyRx_Fact%20Sheet_Final_082914.pdf|access-date=27 October 2014|date=September 2014|archive-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103010222/http://www.calhealthplans.org/pdfs/CAHPSpecialtyRx_Fact%20Sheet_Final_082914.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Due to the demand for clinicians who can properly manage these specific patient populations, the Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board has developed a new certification exam to certify specialty pharmacists. Along with the 100 questions computerized multiple-choice exam, pharmacists must also complete 3,000 hours of specialty pharmacy practice within the past three years as well as 30 hours of specialty pharmacist continuing education within the past two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spcboard.org/certification/eligibility-requirements/|title=Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board|access-date=2 November 2014|archive-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103020528/http://www.spcboard.org/certification/eligibility-requirements/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Pharmaceutical sciences==
{{Redirect|Pharmaceutical research|the journal|Pharmaceutical Research (journal)}}{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2017}}
The pharmaceutical sciences are a group of [[interdisciplinary]] areas of study concerned with the [[Drug design|design]], [[Pharmaceutical manufacturing|manufacturing]], [[Drug action team|action]], [[Drug delivery|delivery]], and [[Drug class|classification]] of [[drugs]]. They apply knowledge from [[chemistry]] ([[inorganic chemistry|inorganic]], [[physical chemistry|physical]], [[biochemistry|biochemical]] and [[analytical chemistry|analytical]]), [[biology]] ([[anatomy]], [[physiology]], [[biochemistry]], [[cell biology]], and [[molecular biology]]), [[epidemiology]], [[statistics]], [[chemometrics]], [[Applied mathematics|mathematics]], [[physics]], and [[chemical engineering]].<ref name="PharmSciIntro">{{cite web |url=http://www.aaps.org/intropharmsci/ |title=Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science |author=American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists |access-date=30 May 2016 |archive-date=16 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516012905/http://www.aaps.org/intropharmsci/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The pharmaceutical sciences are further subdivided into several specific [[Specialty (medicine)|specialties]], with four main branches:

*'''[[Pharmacology]]''': the study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on [[human beings]].
**'''[[Pharmacodynamics]]''': the study of the cellular and molecular interactions of drugs with their [[Receptor (biochemistry)|receptor]]s. Simply "What the drug does to the body"<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lees P, Cunningham FM, Elliott J | year = 2004 | title = Principles of pharmacodynamics and their applications in veterinary pharmacology | journal = J. Vet. Pharmacol. Ther. | volume = 27 | issue = 6| pages = 397–414 | doi = 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2004.00620.x | pmid = 15601436 | url = http://researchonline.rvc.ac.uk/id/eprint/912/ }}</ref>
**'''[[Pharmacokinetics]]''': the study of the factors that control the concentration of drug at various sites in the body. Simply "What the body does to the drug"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/clinical-pharmacology/pharmacokinetics/overview-of-pharmacokinetics|title=Overview of Pharmacokinetics - Clinical Pharmacology|website=Merck Manuals Professional Edition|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-31|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031165405/https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/clinical-pharmacology/pharmacokinetics/overview-of-pharmacokinetics|url-status=live}}</ref>
**'''[[Toxicology|Pharmaceutical toxicology]]''': the study of the harmful or toxic effects of drugs. {{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
**'''[[Pharmacogenomics]]''': the study of the [[Biological inheritance|inheritance]] of characteristic patterns of interaction between drugs and organisms.<ref>Ermak, Gennady (2015). Emerging Medical Technologies. World Scientific. {{ISBN|978-981-4675-80-2}}</ref>
*'''[[Pharmaceutical chemistry]]''': the study of [[drug design]] to optimize pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and [[chemical synthesis|synthesis]] of new [[Small molecule|drug molecules]] ([[Medicinal Chemistry]]).  
*'''[[Pharmaceutics]]''': the study and design of [[drug formulation]] for optimum [[drug delivery|delivery]], [[Chemical stability|stability]], pharmacokinetics, and [[Compliance (medicine)|patient acceptance]].<ref>Rhodes, edited by Gilbert S. Banker, Christopher T. (2002). Modern Pharmaceutics, 1 (5th ed.). Hoboken: Informa Healthcare. {{ISBN|0824744691}}</ref>
*'''[[Pharmacognosy]]''': the study of medicines derived from natural sources.<ref>American Society of Pharmacognosy</ref>

As new discoveries advance and extend the pharmaceutical sciences, subspecialties continue to be added to this list. Importantly, as [[knowledge]] advances, boundaries between these specialty areas of pharmaceutical sciences are beginning to blur. Many fundamental concepts are common to all pharmaceutical sciences. These shared fundamental concepts further the understanding of their applicability to all aspects of [[pharmaceutical research]] and [[drug therapy]].

[[Pharmacocybernetics]] (also known as pharma-cybernetics, cybernetic pharmacy, and cyber pharmacy) is an emerging field that describes the science of supporting drugs and medications use through the application and evaluation of informatics and internet technologies, so as to improve the [[pharmaceutical care]] of patients.<ref name="Yap Pharmaco-cybernetics as an interactive component of pharma-culture">{{cite journal | vauthors = Yap KY, Chuang X, Lee AJ, Lee RZ, Lim L, Lim JJ, Nimesha R | year = 2009 | title = Pharmaco-cybernetics as an interactive component of pharma-culture: empowering drug knowledge through user-, experience- and activity-centered designs | journal = International Journal of Computer Science Issues | volume = 3 | pages = 1–13 }}</ref>

==Society and culture==

===Etymology<!--Linked from 'Pharmacology' and 'Pharmakos'-->===
The word ''pharmacy'' is derived from [[Old French]] ''farmacie'' "substance, such as a food or in the form of a medicine which has a laxative effect" from [[Medieval Latin]] ''pharmacia'' from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ''pharmakeia'' ({{langx|grc|φαρμακεία}}) "a medicine", which itself derives from ''pharmakon'' ({{lang|grc|φάρμακον}}), meaning "drug, [[poison]], [[Spell (paranormal)|spell]]"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/pharmacy|title=pharmacy {{pipe}} Origin and meaning of pharmacy by Online Etymology Dictionary|website=www.etymonline.com|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906024243/https://www.etymonline.com/word/pharmacy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{LSJ|fa/rmakon|φάρμακον|ref}}.</ref>{{efn|Its earliest attested form in Greek could be the [[Mycenaean Greek|Mycenaean]] {{lang|gmy|𐀞𐀔𐀒}}, ''pa-ma-ko'', written in the [[Linear B]] syllabic script and found on the [[Pylos|PY]] Un 1314 tablet; this tablet is also found listed as PY Vn 1314 or PY Sb 1314.<ref>{{cite web|title=PY 1314 Vn + frr. (Cii)|website=DĀMOS: Database of Mycenaean at Oslo|url=https://www2.hf.uio.no/damos/Index/item/chosen_item_id/5042|publisher=[[University of Oslo]]|access-date=16 March 2014|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316195631/https://www2.hf.uio.no/damos/Index/item/chosen_item_id/5042|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Raymoure|first=K.A.|url=http://minoan.deaditerranean.com/resources/linear-b-sign-groups/pe/pe-re/|title=pe-re|work=Minoan Linear A & Mycenaean Linear B|publisher=Deaditerranean|access-date=16 March 2014|archive-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012041614/http://minoan.deaditerranean.com/resources/linear-b-sign-groups/pe/pe-re/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.palaeolexicon.com/ShowWord.aspx?Id=16843|publisher=Palaeolexicon. Word study tool of ancient languages|title=The Linear B word pa-ma-ko|access-date=16 March 2014|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316201514/http://www.palaeolexicon.com/ShowWord.aspx?Id=16843|url-status=live}}</ref>}} (which is etymologically related to ''[[pharmakos]]'').

===Separation of prescribing and dispensing===
{{main|Separation of prescribing and dispensing}}
Separation of prescribing and dispensing, also called dispensing separation, is a practice in [[medicine]] and pharmacy in which the [[physician]] who provides a [[medical prescription]] is independent from the [[pharmacist]] who provides the [[prescription drug]].

In the [[Western world]] there are centuries of tradition for separating pharmacists from physicians. In Asian countries, it is traditional for physicians to also provide drugs.

In contemporary time researchers and health policy analysts have more deeply considered these traditions and their effects. Advocates for separation and advocates for combining make similar claims for each of their conflicting perspectives, saying that separating or combining reduces [[conflict of interest in the healthcare industry]], [[unnecessary health care]], and lowers costs, while the opposite causes those things. Research in various places reports mixed outcomes in different circumstances.

===Environmental impacts ===
In 2022 the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)]] proposed that pharmaceutical companies should be required to collect and destroy unused or expired medicines that they have put on the market in order to reduce public health risks around the misuse of medicines obtained from waste bins, the development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from the discharge of antibiotics into environmental systems and "economic losses" from wasted healthcare resources.  Potentially harmful concentrations of pharmaceutical waste has been detected  in more than a quarter of water samples taken from 258 rivers around the world.  OECD recommend that medicines should be collected separately from household waste and that  "marketplaces and redistribution platforms for unused close-to-expiry-date medicines" should be set up.  Such extended producer responsibility schemes are already running in France, Spain and Portugal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Manufacturers should pay for collection and disposal of unused medicines, says OECD |url=https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/manufacturers-should-pay-for-collection-and-disposal-of-unused-medicines-says-oecd |access-date=30 June 2022 |publisher=Pharmaceutical Journal |date=10 May 2022}}</ref>

===The future of pharmacy===
[[File:A U.S. Soldier with the Special Warfare Medical Group(Airborne), speaks to Dr 110228-A-GV060-946.jpg|thumb|Pharmacists now go on rounds with doctors and have more patient interaction.]]
In the coming decades, pharmacists are expected to become more integral within the [[health care system]]. Rather than simply dispensing medication, pharmacists are increasingly expected to be compensated for their patient care skills.<ref>American College of Clinical Pharmacy, [http://www.accp.com/position/pos029.pdf Evidence of the Economic Benefit of Clinical Pharmacy Services:  1996–2000] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030418235157/http://www.accp.com/position/pos029.pdf |date=18 April 2003 }}</ref> In particular, [[Medication Therapy Management]] (MTM) includes the clinical services that pharmacists can provide for their patients.  Such services include a thorough analysis of all medication ([[prescription medication|prescription]], non-prescription, and herbals) currently being taken by an individual.  The result is a reconciliation of medication and patient education resulting in increased patient health outcomes and decreased costs to the health care system.<ref>American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA)</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2011}}

This shift has already commenced in some countries; for instance, pharmacists in [[Australia]] receive remuneration from the [[Government of Australia|Australian Government]] for conducting comprehensive Home Medicines Reviews. In Canada, pharmacists in certain provinces have limited prescribing rights (as in Alberta and British Columbia) or are remunerated by their provincial government for expanded services such as medications reviews (Medschecks in Ontario). In the United Kingdom, pharmacists who undertake additional training are obtaining prescribing rights and this is because of [[pharmacy education]]. They are also being paid for by the government for [[medicine use review]]s. In Scotland, the pharmacist can write prescriptions for Scottish registered patients of their regular medications, for the majority of drugs, except for controlled drugs, when the patient is unable to see their doctor, as could happen if they are away from home or the doctor is unavailable. In the United States, pharmaceutical care or [[clinical pharmacy]] has had an evolving influence on the practice of pharmacy.<ref name="Clinical Pharmacy Defined">American College of Clinical Pharmacy, [http://www.accp.com/clinical_pharmacy.php Clinical Pharmacy Defined] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704035001/http://www.accp.com/clinical_pharmacy.php |date=4 July 2007 }}</ref> Moreover, the [[Doctor of Pharmacy]] (Pharm. D.) degree is now required before entering practice and some pharmacists now complete one or two years of residency or fellowship training following graduation.  In addition, [[consultant pharmacist]]s, who traditionally operated primarily in [[nursing home]]s, are now expanding into direct consultation with patients, under the banner of "senior care pharmacy".<ref>[[American Society of Consultant Pharmacists]], [http://www.ascp.com/consumers/what/ What is a Senior Care Pharmacist?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023213917/http://www.ascp.com/consumers/what/ |date=23 October 2006 }}</ref>

In addition to patient care, pharmacies will be a focal point for medical adherence initiatives. There is enough evidence to show that integrated pharmacy based initiatives significantly impact adherence for chronic patients. For example, a study published in [[National Institute for Health|National Institute for Health (NIH)]] shows "pharmacy based interventions improved patients' medication adherence rates by 2.1 percent and increased physicians' initiation rates by 38 percent, compared to the control group".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Brennan|first1=Troyen A.|last2=Dollear|first2=Timothy J.|last3=Hu|first3=Min|last4=Matlin|first4=Olga S.|last5=Shrank|first5=William H.|last6=Choudhry|first6=Niteesh K.|last7=Grambley|first7=William|date=1 January 2012|title=An integrated pharmacy-based program improved medication prescription and adherence rates in diabetes patients|journal=Health Affairs|volume=31|issue=1|pages=120–129|doi=10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0931|issn=1544-5208|pmid=22232102|doi-access=}}</ref>

== Pharmacy journals ==

* [[List of pharmaceutical sciences journals]]

==Symbols==
The [[symbol]]s most commonly associated with pharmacy are the [[mortar and pestle]] (North America) and the {{not a typo|℞}} ([[medical prescription]]) character, which is often written as "Rx" in typed text; the green [[cross]] in [[France]], [[Argentina]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Belgium]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[Spain]], and [[India]]; the [[Bowl of Hygieia]] (only) often used in the [[Netherlands]] but may be seen combined with other symbols elsewhere. Other common symbols include [[conical measure]]s, and (in the US) [[caduceus]]es, in their [[logos]].  A red stylized letter A is used in [[Germany]] and [[Austria]] (from {{Lang|de|Apotheke}}, the [[German language|German]] word for pharmacy, from the same [[Greek language|Greek]] root as the [[English language|English]] word "[[apothecary]]"). The [[show globe]] was used in the US until the early 20th century; the [[Gaper]] in the Netherlands is increasingly rare.

<gallery class="center">
Image:Asclepius staff.svg|[[Rod of Asclepius]], the internationally recognised symbol of medicine
File:Aiga FirstAid - Green.svg|green cross ([[American Institute of Graphic Arts|AIGA]] symbol for [[First Aid]])
Image:Green_Pharmacy_Cross_w_Bowl_of_Hygieia.svg|Green cross and [[Bowl of Hygieia]] used in [[Europe]] (with the exception of [[Germany]] and [[Austria]]) and India
Image:Pharmacy Green Cross.svg|Simple green Greek cross, widely used in {{citation needed span|date=October 2020|Europe and India,}} often an animated [[neon sign]]
File:Deutsche Apotheke Logo.svg|Red "A" (''Apotheke'') sign, used in Germany 
Image:Apotheke Oesterreich Logo.svg|Similar red "A" sign, used in Austria
Image:PharmacistsMortar.svg|The mortar and pestle, used in the United States and Canada
Image:Red Hanging Show Globe2.jpg|A hanging [[Show globe]], formerly used in the United States
Image:De_Gaper,_Nijmegen.jpg|The Gaper, formerly used in the Netherlands
File:Rx_symbol_border.svg|The symbol used on medical prescriptions, from the Latin ''recipe'' (take thou).
File:Bowl Of Hygieia by David.svg|the Bowl of Hygieia
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Div col}}
* {{Annotated link |American Society for Pharmacy Law}}
* {{Annotated link |Apothecary}}
*[[Bachelor of Pharmacy]], [[Master of Pharmacy]], [[Doctor of Pharmacy]]
* {{Annotated link |Classification of Pharmaco-Therapeutic Referrals}}
* {{Annotated link |Clinical pharmacy}}
* {{Annotated link |Consultant pharmacist}}
* {{Annotated link |Drug packaging}}
* {{Annotated link |Evidence-based pharmacy in developing countries}}
* {{Annotated link |Health informatics}}
* {{Annotated link |History of pharmacy}}
* {{Annotated link |Hospital pharmacy}}
* {{Annotated link |International Pharmaceutical Federation}}
* {{Annotated link |International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation}}
* {{Annotated link |List of drugs by year of discovery}}
* {{Annotated link |List of pharmaceutical laboratories by year of foundation}}
* {{Annotated link |List of pharmacies}}
* {{Annotated link |List of pharmacy associations}}
* {{Annotated link |List of pharmacy organizations in the United Kingdom}}
* {{Annotated link |List of pharmacy schools in the United States}}
* {{Annotated link |List of pharmacy schools}}
* {{Annotated link |Nuclear pharmacy}}
* {{Annotated link |Online pharmacy}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmaceutics}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmaceutical industry}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmacogenomics}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmacognosy}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmacology}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmaconomist}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmacy automation}}
* {{Annotated link |Pharmacy residency}}
* {{Annotated link |Professional Further Education in Clinical Pharmacy and Public Health}}
* {{Annotated link |Raeapteek}}
* {{Annotated link |Telepharmacy}}
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite journal | author = Watkins, Elizabeth Siegel | year = 2009 | title = From History of Pharmacy to Pharmaceutical History | journal = Pharmacy in History | volume = 51 | issue = 1| pages = 3–13 | pmid = 20027914 }}
* {{in lang|ja}} Asai, T. (1985). ''Nyokan Tūkai''. Tokyo: Kōdan-Sha.
* {{in lang|fr}} [[Isaac Titsingh|Titsingh, Isaac]], ed. (1834). [Siyun-sai Rin-siyo/[[Hayashi Gahō]], 1652], ''[[Nipon o daï itsi ran]]; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon.'' Paris: [[Royal Asiatic Society|Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland]].[https://books.google.com/books?id=18oNAAAAIAAJ&q=nipon+o+dai+itsi+ran ...Click link for digitized, full-text copy of this book (in French)]
* [https://www.mckesson.com/pharmacy-management/consulting-and-technology/ Pharmacy Consulting Services | McKesson] – A landmark study in hospital pharmacy performance based on an extensive literature review and the collective experience of the Health Systems Pharmacy Executive Alliance.

==External links==
{{Wiktionary|pharmacy}}
{{Wikibooks|Pharmacy}}
{{Wikiversity|Pharmacy}}
{{Commons}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051102083751/http://www.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de/pharm/pharmaziegeschichte/index-e.html Navigator History of Pharmacy] Collection of internet resources related to the history of pharmacy
*[http://www.drugstoremuseum.com Soderlund Pharmacy Museum] – Information about the history of the American Drugstore
*[http://www.lloydlibrary.org/ The Lloyd Library] Library of botanical, medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific books and periodicals, and works of allied sciences
*[http://www.aihp.org American Institute of the History of Pharmacy] American Institute of the History of Pharmacy—resources in the history of pharmacy
*[http://www.fip.org International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)] Federation representing national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.  Information and resources relating to pharmacy education, practice, science and policy



{{Pharmacy}}
{{Medicine}}
{{Allied health professions}}
{{Branches_of_biology}}
{{Health care}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Short description|Clinical health science}}

[[Category:Pharmacy| ]]
[[Category:Medicinal chemistry]]
[[Category:Symbols]]